How to book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda and Rwanda?
BOOK A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT IN UGANDA OR RWANDA – BOOKING INFORMATION
Are you planning a gorilla trek Africa and thinking of how to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda or Rwanda? It is essential to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance if you are interested in a gorilla safari Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga in Uganda should be booked for at least 10 months before the actual date of trekking.
What is a gorill permit? A gorilla permit is a legal document that allow a visitor to trek and see habituated gorillas in their natural habitat for one hour per day.
Booking a Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is nolonger done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by visitors, you must book and purchase a gorilla permit through a trusted tour company in Uganda which takes reponsiblity to book a permit on your behalf. Gorilla Safaris Experts team will help you to book your gorilla permit and handle your gorilla trekking trip formalities in Uganda or Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda is subject to availability of gorilla permit and must be booked ahead of your trekking day to avoid disappointments on a start point. It’s recommended that you deposit gorilla permit fees as soon as you confirm your trip in order for the company to secure your slot is booked.
A limited number of permits are available everyday meaning that there is a lot of competition for gorilla permits especially in the high season between months of June to September and December to march. Therefore, booking your permit early will save you the hustle to get one or even save you missing a chance to visit the gorillas at your desired time.
To book a Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, you need to consider your choice of trekking locations or sectors in Bwindi forest these include; Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector and Nyakagezi in Mgahinga gorilla national park. As you organize and book a Gorilla Safari in Uganda, consider advance payment deposit to enable a company purchase your gorilla permit early and get you a perfect gorilla trekking sector and off course book a nice lodge for you.
Where to see gorillas in Africa? Mountain gorillas are found in only three Africa countries whicch include Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are endangered therefore, in order to protect them from extinction, these governments organizations have restricted the frequency of visits to see the gorillas. Only 8 people are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family per day and allowed only one hour with them. The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years, in other wards a person to go for gorilla trekking should be 15 years and above.
No booking a Gorilla Permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA):
You may contact Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA reservations office in Kampala through an email or phone call inquiring of the availability of the permits on your desired date, month and year plus the location where you want to trek gorillas. but when it comes to purchasing the permit, Uganda wildlife Authority will refer you to book and purchase through a trusted tour operator in Uganda.
If the said dates or location are already reserved, you will be advised on the possible dates and location with availability in which you can choose the most convenient for you through your trusted tour agency.
Once the the agency have got a date and location, you will pay the tour operator which will also go to purchase directly to UWA by paying on their accounts together with the charges. If interested to see a document, your tour operator will send a scanned proof of payment to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
Booking a Gorilla permit through a Trusted Tour Company
If you are interested in doing a gorilla trek, the simplest way is to just contact the company, like Gorilla Safari Experts by Adventures To Gorilla Africa Ltd. The tour company will provide the needed information and they will go through the hustle for you. No extra charges when booking a gorilla tour with a trusted tour company that will at the some time handle transfers, guidance and accommodation arrangements.
Given that the local tour company on the ground have enough knowledge about the different locations and so will make good choice for you to meet your preference and budget for example they choose a location to match your accommodation. If you only book a gorilla permit and do self drive, a small fee will be charged to cover some costs that the tour agency will incur while trying to get in touch with Uganda wildlife Authority on your behalf.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two national parks which is Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. All gorilla permits for these two parks must be booked from Uganda wildlife Authority offices in Kampala and there is no permit booking upon arrival at the park offices/ on the ground.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park also allows visitors to participate in gorilla habituation process which lasts up to 4 hours with gorillas on each day visit. The gorilla habituation permits are also booked similarly to the normal gorilla trekking permits.
Gorilla Permits Cost in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo
In Rwanda Gorilla permit cost USD 1500,
In Uganda foreign non-residents pay USD 700.
Foreign residents in East Africa pay USD 600 trekking gorillas in Uganda and east African residents pay 250,000 Uganda shillings to visit gorillas.
A Uganda Gorilla habituation permits cost USD 1500.
DR Congo a gorilla permit cost USD 400.
Rwanda Gorilla Permits For 2023. (Volcanoes National Park)
Gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda can be booked through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through a trusted tour operator like Gorilla Safari Experts by Adventures To Gorilla Africa Ltd. The tour company will handle all your tour formalities like booking gorilla permit, transfers, accommodation booking and handling your transportation while touring Rwanda.
- Rwanda Gorilla permits for nationals of Rwanda and all East African Citizen cost from USD 200.
- For Foreign Residents in Rwanda gorilla permit from USD 500.
- International Visitors, gorilla permit fees remain at USD 1500.
Uganda Discounted Gorilla Permits (DECEMBER 2023 TO MARCH 2024 OFFER)
- Uganda foreign non-residents permit reduced from $700 to USD 400.
- Foreign residents in East Africa Uganda gorilla permits reduced from $600 to USD 300.
- East African residents gorilla trekking permit reduced from UGX 250,000 to 150,000 Uganda shillings.
- A Uganda Gorilla habituation permits cost remain at USD 1500.
